Manlius Pebble Hill school in DeWitt has cut 12 positions, including two full-time teachers, from its staff.

The cuts are in response to a change in the private school's target enrollment numbers. MPH officials have decided to accept 40 fewer students into the school, resulting in a need for less staff.

School officials said because of confidentiality issues, they could not release the specific people or jobs which were cut.

In the past several years, more than 500 students have attended MPH, but starting this fall MPH is accepting 460 students. That is the number "we feel we can sustain and educate the way our mission compels us to" said Scott Wiggins, head of school.

That has resulted in waiting lists in five grades.

When Wiggins joined MPH in 2012, he said the school was redefining its mission. "We felt we tried to be all things to all people, and instead we need to focus on who exactly we want to serve,'' he said. "We aren't in trouble; this is a very thought-out deliberate decision we believe will help us do a better job of educating the students we have."

MPH's decision to be more selective in admitting students means some full-time jobs were merged and cuts had to be made. "MPH hasn't had this sort of a shock before, but we needed to do it'' Wiggins said. "There is a lot of heartbreak that goes along with it."

The school is seeking students "who are hungry for this type of experience,'' Wiggins said. "We want to make sure those who enroll are ready to get their A game on, and we're hyperfocused on that. We are looking for bright, motivated students who have that rocket strapped to their backs."

MPH, which offers pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, employs 61 faculty, which includes three administrators who also teach.